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I know my spider veins are ugly, but there really isn’t anything I can do about them. This is a sentiment shared by millions of people throughout the country who have spider veins, but the fact is that those who suffer from spider veins do have options when it comes to treating them. Spider veins are those reddish purple veins that typically are found on legs, but they can occur in other areas of the body. Also referred to as telangiectasia, spider veins are tiny dilated blood vessels that occur near the surface of the skin. It is true that, due to the pressure legs withstand, spider veins typically show up on the legs. However, spider veins can also appear on other areas of the body such as the face. They are so named because of the web-liked appearance they often take, but don’t mistake spider veins for varicose veins. Varicose veins are also web-liked, purplish veins, but these are more serious, as they occur deeper under the skin. The good news is that spider veins don’t present nearly the threat that varicose veins do, and the symptoms are few. Of course, that doesn’t mean that those who have them want to keep them around. Following is more information about spider veins and spider vein treatment in Summit.

Symptoms

As the heart pumps blood, it’s necessary for that blood to move properly through veins and blood vessels in order to get to all the parts of the body where it needs to go. If valves become weakened, blood can pool and become stagnant in veins. The most significant symptom of spider veins is their appearance. Spider veins don’t typically bring about a lot of symptoms other than the reddish-purple, webbed, sometimes sunburst patterns of veins that appear on the skin. They can sometimes also bring about some leg swelling or pain, but spider veins shouldn’t be confused with varicose veins. While spider veins show up near the surface of the skin, varicose veins go deeper. Varicose veins also are more rope-like and bulging than spider veins.

Treatments

The best news about spider veins, other than the fact that they are often harmless and bring about no other symptoms, is that there are a number of treatments for them, including compression stockings, phlebectomy, and sclerotherapy.

Compression stockings

Compression stockings, also called compression hose or support hose, are usually the first go-to treatment for spider veins. Compression stockings sometimes are enough to get blood flowing properly in order to keep it from pooling in the legs and ankles. These stockings work by applying pressure to affected legs and ankles, as they provide the most pressure around the ankles and less pressure as they go up the leg. And it’s that pressure that helps to redirect pooling blood up the leg and back toward the heart.

Phlebectomy

A fairly minimally invasive surgical procedure, phlebectomy is effective at treating spider veins. It’s generally performed under local anesthesia, often is performed in a vein treatment center, and typically is pain-free. In this procedure, veins are marked for elimination, as local anesthesia is injected into affected areas for numbing. Then spider veins are surgically removed one section at a time through tiny incisions.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy oftentimes is performed on an outpatient basis and can be performed in a vein treatment center. In this procedure, a solution, or ‘sclerosing agent,’ will be injected into spider veins in order to close them off and seal them shut. This procedure also leads to redirection of pooling blood to healthier veins. It causes affected veins to harden, fade, and disappear.

Even though spider veins typically are superficial and they’re not usually dangerous, especially when compared to their ugly cousin varicose veins, millions of folks who have them want nothing more than to get rid of them. The symptoms of spider veins are insignificant, but the unattractiveness isn’t. If you’re a spider vein sufferer who is wondering what your treatment options are, now you know a little more about spider vein treatment. For more information, contact a vein center to schedule a consultation and have all your questions about spider vein treatment answered.

More commonly known as venous insufficiency, venous reflux disease is a medical condition that circulation of blood in the legs. And, because it affects blood circulation, venous reflux disease can lead to a number of health complications. Some of the causes of venous reflux include a sedentary lifestyle, having a job that requires long periods of sitting or standing, family history of varicose veins and other circulation problems, being overweight, and smoking, among others. The good news about venous reflux disease sufferers don’t necessarily have to live with their condition. Vein centers and throughout the country have a number of options that can treat venous reflux disease and help to restore proper blood flow. Continue reading →

When most people hear the term varicose veins, they automatically think that it means because you have varicose veins that they are only present in your legs. However, you might be surprised to know that varicose veins are present in other parts of your body as well. There are a few different types of varicose veins and many different options to get rid of each one of these types depending on the vein itself, type of varicose vein, the colors, sizes, etc. Below, we will be talking about all types as well as treatment for each one available. Continue reading →

Millions of adults have experienced leg swelling at one time or another, for one reason or another. There are so many reasons that legs can swell, including but not limited to medical conditions and injury. Often referred to by healthcare professionals as edema, swelling of the legs can show up one day and disappear the next, or it can occur as an ongoing symptom of something more serious going on within the body. The list of causes of leg swelling is quite long, but some of the most common causes include injury or trauma to the legs, inactivity, varicose veins, medications, obesity, hormone imbalance, and medical conditions. Following is more detailed information from vein centers in New Jersey about these common causes of leg swelling, as well as prevention and treatment options.

Causes of leg swelling

Leg swelling can be caused by a number of factors. These can range in seriousness from relatively harmless to severe or even life-threatening. Following are some of the most common causes of leg swelling, ranging from mild to severe.

Mild

Oftentimes, leg swelling can appear one day and disappear the next. It can also continue in a mild form. It can even be recurring at a mild degree. Some of the causes of mild forms of leg swelling include:

Varicose veins: Varicose veins are purplish, twisted, rope-like veins that appear under the skin. Some varicose veins aren’t serious, but they can cause leg swelling and pain.

Hormone replacement or birth control pills: Many birth control pills and hormone replacement drugs used for menopausal or premenopausal women can cause leg swelling. Because they can lead to venous insufficiency, blood flow to lower extremities is restricted, causing inflammation to legs and ankles.

Medications: Some medications have also been known to cause venous insufficiency, for the same reasons as hormone replacement drugs and birth control pills.

Activity: In some instances, standing for long periods of time can lead to leg swelling, especially for those who must stand all day for their jobs.

Inactivity: By the same token, inactivity can also lead to leg swelling. For instance, sitting for long periods of time at a computer for your job, or sitting in front of the computer playing a video game at a long stretch can cause leg swelling. It’s important to note, however, that leg swelling from inactivity has also been known to be severe and even lead to blot clots and death, in cases of prolonged inactivity.

Severe

There are many illnesses and types of injury that can cause severe leg swelling. It’s important for anyone experiencing leg swelling to see their doctor as soon as possible, as many causes can be life-threatening and can even lead to death.

Varicose veins: Yes, varicose veins are on both lists, both mild and severe. While some varicose veins aren’t serious, others can be severe and can even lead to serious medical complications from poor blood flow.

Heart problems: Some serious medical conditions that involve the heart, such as cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, can cause severe leg swelling.

Blood clots: Also known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT), some blood clots can cause swelling in legs.

Prevention of leg swelling

If you’re someone who experiences leg swelling, it’s important to first talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Following that, some of the best preventive measures you can take to prevent leg swelling are to avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting as much as possible; maintain an active lifestyle; eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of nutritionally rich fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods; elevate your legs when you feel them swelling; and wear compression stockings.

If you’ve experienced the kind of leg swelling that lasts for just a few hours or a day, you know that it can hamper your lifestyle temporarily. However, if you’re experiencing leg swelling that has lasted for a longer period of time; you should talk to your doctor about your symptoms, as this may be a sign of something more serious going on within your body. And, if you have more questions about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of leg swelling such as spider veins, varicose veins, and other blood circulation issues, contact a vein center to schedule a consultation.

When it comes to spider veins, a lot of people actually think they are the same exact thing as varicose veins, but that’s not actually the truth. Varicose veins tend to be worse – they are the ones that are reddish green, sometimes blue in color, and they tend to bulge more than spider veins. But, that doesn’t mean that people with spider veins are any less embarrassed by this condition. Spider veins can still be a worrisome situation to go through, even though these little vessels are smaller in size, and usually not as bold in color as varicose veins, they can still cause issues. If you have some questions about spider veins, please continue to read the blog below, for more information about this condition such as Spider vein treatment in New Jersey, side effects of Sclerotherapy, different alternative options besides Sclerotherapy, and more.

Are Spider Veins Purely Cosmetic?

Spider veins, which are also more commonly known as telangiectasia are not always as cosmetic as people seem to think. Sometimes they are the sign of something more serious going on inside the veins such as venous reflex disease. Most of the smaller varicose veins, called spider veins, have a sunburst or spider web look to them. However, if the patient is having any pain, soreness, itching, etc. it may be a sign of venous reflex disease. If this is the case, then the patient will need treatment, not only for the spider veins themselves, but for the disease. One of the most common forms of Spider vein treatment is called Sclerotherapy. This is a treatment in which topical lasers are used on the skin to help essentially destroy the spider veins.

Spider Vein Treatment

One of the more common treatments, is the one we spoke about briefly above; Sclerotherapy. This usually works for 90% of the people that get it. However, if you can’t afford Sclerotherapy or its not working for you, there ARE a few other options available to you, all of these treatments are bound to have different amount of treatments needed – this depends on the veins themselves, as well as the person. Each treatment will also most likely experience a few side effects, some worse than others. Let’s first go over the Sclerotherapy treatment though:

Sclerotherapy

On average, people that get Sclerotherapy treatments, are usually going to have to get 3-4 treatments, but in some rare cases it only takes 1 treatment and in some really rare cases it takes up to 6 treatments altogether. Common side effects for Sclerotherapy include itching, pain which is temporary and tends to only last 1-7 days, sloughing which only occurs in 3% of patients, and in rare cases an allergic reaction may be present.

Laser Surgery

This is a lot like Sclerotherapy because it uses lasers to get rid of the veins. In this case, however, instead of destroying the veins altogether like with Sclerotherapy, this simply makes the color and shape of the vein smaller and changes the color from brighter to less bright. No needles are used in this treatment either.

Microsclerotherapy

This is somewhat similar to the above two, but in this case, needles are present. A Small amount of a chemical compound which is liquefied is inserted into the veins with a very slim needle. Essentially the chemical inside the vein creates a scar on the inner lining of the veins and it closes it off.

Endovenous Ablation Therapy

This Spider vein treatment uses lasers, incisions and needles, it’s somewhat a tough treatment to go through, but you will be numbed around the area of the veins. The doctor will take a laser and close off the area of the vein using heat. Then, he or she will make a small cut near the vein and insert a catheter tube into the vein itself. The device will heat up and close off the veins.

If you want to try and keep spider veins at bay, it’s a good idea to:

– Try not to stand on your feet too long, without sitting down every few minutes.

– When sleeping, try to keep your legs and feet at a raised position – above your heart when possible.

– If you are obese, try to lose some of the weight you have put on. Losing weight will improve the blood flow and won’t put so much pressure on your legs.

– Try not to wear high heels or tight clothes as much as usual. Tight clothes, tight boots and high heels can create spider veins or if you already have them, it can make them even worse than they already are.

What you eat has a huge impact on your oral health. It seems so obvious, doesn’t it? Pretty much everything we eat or drink touches our teeth in one way or another. We chew certain foods. We drink liquids, and they pass over our teeth. So, if everything we eat has an impact on our teeth, then why do so many of us not consider our teeth and our diets when we’re considering what to have for lunch? The fact is that diet plays a huge role in dental health, but not just because foods and beverages come into direct contact with our teeth. The nutrients found (or not found) in foods also play a vital role in the health of our teeth. Following are answers to common oral health questions about how various vitamins and minerals affect the health of your teeth. Continue reading →

Cosmetic issues always seem to be an issue in our social environment these days. You have to look a certain way, dress a certain way, weigh a certain weight, etc. But, what about people that just can’t help it or they have things about themselves such as varicose veins that they are embarrassed by or ashamed of? Honestly varicose veins are nothing to joke about nor are they just cosmetic. In fact, these little veins that can sometimes look like they are bulging out of a person’s leg and are blue or green in color, can become quite serious if they are not looked at by a professional. These veins are beneath the skin, but they tend to jut outwards looking like a tangled pile of twisted cords. These do tend to appear on the legs and nowhere else. Continue reading →

Varicose veins. We all know they’re those unsightly reddish, purplish, twisted veins that pop out of the skin. But what are the signs and symptoms of varicose veins? Do they come with age? If so, will everyone get varicose veins as they get older? What about young people? Can they get varicose veins also? How can you tell if you have varicose veins? Are they painful? Do they lead to other health complications? There are a number of symptoms of varicose veins, and their signs are pretty straightforward. However, not all such veins are considered varicose veins. Some of the veins that are visible under the skin are referred to as ‘spider veins.’ It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of varicose veins, and the differences between spider veins and varicose veins. Following is information from vein treatment centers in New Jersey about the symptoms, what to watch out for, and potential complications for those who suffer from severe symptoms of varicose veins. Continue reading →

RLS or more commonly known as Restless Leg Syndrome, may seem like not a big deal to people that don’t have it. But, for the 10% of the population that does have RLS it’s a condition that can essentially interrupt your life and make certain things, like sleeping soundly, really difficult. Since it mainly has to do with sleep, it is considered a sleep disorder, though some people say that they also have symptoms during the day time as well. Essentially, the name itself defines what this condition really is; having restless legs. But, it’s much more than just that. Most people that experience RLS deal with the uncomfortable and sporadic sensation of a pulling in their arms or legs. It’s a really annoying condition to say the least, especially while trying to sleep. Most of the people that have this condition will try to move their legs while sleeping in order to relieve the symptoms – for some people it works, and for others it does not. Other people say they feel pins and needles in their limbs, or a bug-crawling like sensation under the skin. These sensations tend to worsen when sitting still or lying down. Continue reading →

When you hear people talking about ‘recession,’ they’re never talking about anything good. An economic recession can have an impact on your wallet, your job, and your lifestyle. And, believe it or not, so can gum recession. Recessed, or receding, gums can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth. They can cause gaps to form between the teeth. They can even cause the roots of teeth to become exposed, and that can cause pain. So what causes gum recession? Is it something that happens with age, or can young people have recessed gums, too? And, the most important question of all is there anything you can do to prevent gum recession? These are some of the most common dental questions asked of dentists concerning recessed gums. Continue reading →